Turkey squeeze into second round

Turkey 3

China 0

Hasan Sas smoothed Turkey's path to the last 16 of the World Cup in a 3-0 win against China.

He scored the first and created goals for Bulent Korkmaz and Umit Davala as Turkey did just enough to oust Costa Rica from the runners-up spot in Group C.

Coach Bora Milutinovic had said before the game that China would settle merely for scoring a goal, so with expectations set at such a low level it was no surprise when Turkey took the lead after six minutes.

Hasan Sas seized on mistake by Li Weifeng and hammered a rising shot past Jiang Jin into the net despite the keeper getting a hand to the ball.

Three minutes later it was 2-0, Hasan Sas again involved with a penetrating cross from the left which Bulent met with a looping header which dropped over Jiang Jin.

Hao Haidong did his best to find that elusive goal after rounding Emre Asik but his low drive from a tight angle was never likely to beat keeper Rustu at the near-post.

Li Weifeng thrashed a shot wide after a neat cut-back by Hao Haidong, then after 27 minutes Yang Chen went within inches of scoring the goal that all China had been craving.

The striker struck a half-volley which crashed back off the post.

Four minutes into the second half Hasan Sas threatened again, forcing Jiang Jin into a sprawling save.

China's predicament was made worse when substitute Shao Jiayi caught Emre Belozoglu with his studs from behind and was red-carded by Colombian referee Oscar Ruiz.

From Hasan Sas' free-kick, Umit had a clear header but could only direct it straight at the keeper.

With five minutes to go, Umit calmed Turkish nerves with a sweetly-struck volley from Hasan Sas' deep cross.

Jiang Jin pulled off a stunning save to prevent Ilhan Mansiz making it four, after Hakan Sukur had back-heeled the ball neatly into the substitute's path.

Turkey will have two suspensions for their second-round game, with Japan the most likely opponents, as Emre Asik and Emre Belozoglu were both booked for the second time in the group games.